?Chapter 1480:


    Cedric, realizing Dani was home, quickly finished his work and headed back.


    At the door, their eyes met in a silent exchange.


    “What’s happening?” Cedric asked.


    Niks hung his head low, defeated.


    “Father was right. I can’t get anything important done. I’m useless. Even with all your help, I still blew the bidding.”


    Dani let out a relieved sigh.


    “I thought it was something worse. Come on in.”


    Niks, still downcast, muttered, “I’m worthless. I don’t deserve to eat.”


    Dani shot Carol a quick nce.


    Carol shrugged and said, “It’s okay. Everyone has bad days. The world’s packed with failures. You’re nothing special. Besides, without folks like you, how would the smart ones shine, huh?”


    Dani was left speechless. What a way tofort someone!


    Cedric was quiet too. Was Carol reallyforting Niks or just making things worse?


    Niks looked like he might break down and cry any second.


    At dinner, Niks stayed still, barely moving.


    Carol cracked a few jokes, but Niks didn’t even crack a smile.


    Finally, she nced at Dani with a pleading look.


    Dani sighed.


    “Let me review your proposal again.”


    Niks passed it to her.


    Dani skimmed it and gave Cedric a thumbs-up.


    “It’s really detailed and thorough.”


    Dani also worked on proposals, but usually just jotted down quick notes. Cedric, however, was careful in everything he did, especially in business, making sure no detail slipped by. The advice he gave Niks was almost perfect.


    “Bidding isn’t only about the proposal; it’s also how you handle yourself. So, who did you see before the meeting? Did something mess with your head?”


    Niks blinked, surprised. “I saw my father.”


    Dani nodded, sounding casual. “Oh, did he put you down again? Did you check who actually won the bid this time?”


    Niks’ eyes flew wide, raw disbelief flooding his face.


    “What are you saying? Are you suggesting my father set me up? You think he yed some kind of mind game with me?”


    His voice cracked with anger and denial.


    “That’s impossible. He told me this project was beneath him—he mocked me for even bothering with it. Why would he ridicule me and then turn around andpete for the same deal?”


    He clung stubbornly to his faith.


    “He’s my father. No matter what happens between us, at the very least, we’dpete fair and square. There’s no way he’d…”


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